FAA investigating after Newark air traffic control suffered two-second outage
- The FAA is investigating a two-second radio frequency outage at the Philadelphia TRACON facility affecting Newark Liberty Airport on May 19, 2025, at around 11:35 a.m.
- This outage follows three prior communication failures at Newark since April 28, caused by aging equipment and persistent staffing shortages, including a severe 90-second outage on May 9.
- Philadelphia TRACON manages Newark flights with only 22 certified controllers active, far below the FAA’s target of 38, amid trauma leave and shifts intended for 14 controllers experiencing staffing constraints.
- The FAA is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar modernization effort to upgrade its air traffic control system with new software, fiber optic cables replacing old copper wires, and the use of innovative solutions like 3D-printed parts, as explained by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
- The FAA has proposed limiting Newark’s arrivals to 28 per hour until runway repairs and modernization efforts conclude in October, aiming to reduce delays and maintain safety despite ongoing technical problems.
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27 Articles
Air Traffic Controller Left 'Traumatized' and Placed on Leave After Being Only One on Duty During Terrifying 90-Second Blackout
An air traffic controller was left 'traumatized' and placed on leave after being the only one on duty for Newark Liberty International Airport when the system blacked out, per 'The Times.'
'Vintage' air traffic system to blame for near misses and outages, ex-FAA official says
Air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport again lost contact with planes Monday, according to the FAA. It's the fourth such incident at that airport in less than a month and the latest in a string of alarming incidents and close calls at airports across the country. Geoff Bennett discussed more with David Grizzle, the former COO of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization.
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